Page 8 The Moorabool News – 14 June, 2022
News
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
L2P back on the road By Lachlan Ellis A learner’s program can continue helping young people learn to drive, with the keys to a new car handed over last week thanks to an article in the Moorabool News and, support and funding, from local businesses and Moorabool Council. The Melton/Moorabool L2P team, part of Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services, gratefully accepted a new Kia Stonic on Monday 6 June, thanks to sponsorship from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), the Bacchus Marsh Community Bank Branch, and Moorabool Shire Council. The new car will have the Program running locally again for the first time in months, as the previous vehicle in use for lessons was vandalised. Acting L2P Project Officer Debra Milvain said it couldn’t be overstated how important the new car was for the L2P Program. “The new car means everything to the Program, as we had Mentors and Learners, but without a vehicle, we just don’t have a Program. We haven’t had any activity since March,” Ms Milvain told the Moorabool News. “The handover was held at the Bacchus Marsh Police Station, courtesy of Jen Horgan, Station Commander. Senior Constable Jim Ross, who has been an unflinching advocate of our program right from the outset, hosted the handover event for us. Ms Milvain said the Bacchus Marsh Police continue to provide a safe, welcoming place
An excited group of sponsors and L2P members with the new vehicle. Photo - submitted
for Learners and Mentors to meet up and sign out the keys for the car. “It also provides an opportunity to promote positive interaction between the police and the Learner drivers.”
working on buying a used car with that money, a third sponsor put their hand up to help.
The purchasing of a replacement car for the Melton/Moorabool L2P Program was kickstarted by a $10,000 grant from FRRR, which was complemented by a $7,000 contribution from Council.
“We were trying to figure out how to procure a second-hand vehicle that met the TAC’s criteria that the car must be less than 10 years old to meet safety standards, when the Bacchus Marsh Community Bank Branch came to the rescue, big time,” Ms Milvain said.
While Ms Milvain and the L2P team were
“They saw the article in the Moorabool
News and approached us with an offer of a further $10,000. This meant we could get a brand-new vehicle which will service L2P in the Moorabool community for the next 10 years. It also means the new vehicle is totally funded by the Moorabool community.” Also, on the long list of generous locals doing their bit to get a new car sorted for the L2P Program was Joylene Richards from Harrison Group, who assisted in quickly finding the car, Joanne Santos from Grainger Legal, who offered a designated space in their car park, and the Rotary Club of Bacchus Marsh, long-term supporters of the Program who provide it with fuel, car servicing, and tyres. “All of these individuals and organisations should be proud of their contribution to the L2P Program singularly. We presented Certificates of Appreciation on the day, but it doesn’t seem enough for what they do for us,” Ms Milvain said. “Without each of them coming together as a whole, we simply wouldn’t exist or be able to help our youth overcome some of the obstacles placed before them.” The L2P Program is the largest youth mentoring program in Victoria, with over half of participants from rural areas. Since 2009, the Melton/Moorabool branch has assisted 190 young people to gain their licences. Need help gaining your 120 hours or would like to become a mentor? Go to the vicroads website – www.vicroads. vic.gov.au and search ‘licences L2P Program’.
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